New Jersey Gov Sherrill signs law forcing ICE agents to unmask during raids
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Democratic New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed legislation Wednesday limiting the use of face masks by law enforcement, including federal ICE agents.
The law, which requires officers to show identification before detaining someone, comes as some federal agents are trying to conceal their identities during immigration raids in communities across the country.
Sherrill, who was sworn into office in January, said the mask mandate is part of an effort to keep Garden State residents safe.
“I can’t believe we have to say this, but in the United States, we will not tolerate rogue masked militia masquerading as well-trained law enforcement agents,” he said.
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New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed legislation limiting face masks for ICE agents. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The legislation is part of a package that the governor said will “protect people’s privacy and rights” and “strengthen trust between law enforcement and our communities.”
Democrats in Congress and various state legislatures have been trying for months to pass measures that would ban immigration officers from wearing masks to hide their identities, arguing that such legislation is necessary to ensure transparency.
Democratic Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson also signed a law earlier this month limiting face coverings for ICE agents.
The Department of Homeland Security criticized efforts to unmask ICE agents and called Washington state’s new measure “irresponsible, reckless and dangerous.”
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The measure requires officers to show identification before detaining someone. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)
“To be clear, we will not comply with this unconstitutional ban,” the ministry said at the time.
Sherrill’s signing on Wednesday comes as the Trump administration continues to target immigration raids. Earlier this year, it announced a portal that would allow residents to upload photos and videos of ICE agents conducting immigration operations.
“If you see an ICE agent on the street, pull out your phone, we want to know,” Sherrill said at the time. “They didn’t show up. They’re going to take people, they’re not going to tell us who they are, they’re not going to tell us if they’re here legally, they’re not going to check. They’re going to take American citizens. They took a five-year-old child. We want documentation and we’re going to make sure we get it.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has criticized efforts to unmask ICE agents. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
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“We’ve seen people on the street with masks and no insignia. So they’re not responsible at all, they’re hiding from the public — and we’ve seen over and over again that what law enforcement is supposed to do to keep people safe is undermined,” he added.
The Trump administration is also suing New Jersey over Sherrill’s executive order last month banning federal immigration agents from making arrests on non-public areas of government property, including correctional facilities and courthouses. The order also prevents government property from being used as a staging or processing area for immigration enforcement.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
